The Hanover Hotel - Local attractions

Liverpool skyline at night, by kind permission of the photographer.

This bustling city offers its visitors a wealth of arts, music, sport and leisure. Within ten minutes walk from the hotel there are theatres, night clubs and a host of pubs. Add to this art galleries, museums and cultural centres and you'll find the days (and nights!) just aren't long enough. The beautiful buildings around the Pier head include the Three Graces and reflect the unrivalled maritime history of Liverpool. Liverpool's gem is the Albert Dock, where the authentically restored dock buildings now house shops, accommodation, the Maritime Museum and Tate Liverpool - the modern art gallery. Trips by motor cruisers or amphibious DUKW ('the Yellow Duckmarine'!) allow views of the historic waterfront, docks and buildings.

'Faith in One City' invites you to follow your beliefs, and a short walk will take to either of the two Cathedrals, the church of St. Nicholas (the sailors' church) and many more. And if these walks put an edge on your appetite, there are a host of restaurants offering international cuisine to suit all tastes.

Shopping and Attractions

All the high street names are present in the city centre and small fashionable retailers have outlets on Bold Street, and in the Clayton Square and Cavern Walks arcades.

Thousands of visitors are still attracted to Liverpool as the birthplace of the Beatles and a whole day could be spent visiting associated locations. Start the day at the 'Beatles Story' exhibition at the Albert Dock; use the tour bus to visit Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields and even 'Mendips' and 20 Forthlin Rd former homes of John and Paul. See the 'Cavern' and shop for memorabilia on Mathew St, and then have a drink in the Grapes, the Fab Four's favourite, or the White Star where they were paid after their Cavern gigs. International Beatle Week, incorporating the Mathew St Festival takes place at the end of August when live music echoes from almost every pub doorway in the city and is attended by half a million people every year.

Liverpool is home to two of English Premier League's football teams, Liverpool F.C. and Everton F.C. The season is from August - May but the clubs' visitors centres are open all year round and include ground tours.

Aintree race course is home to the Grand National which is held in April, but now also houses a year-round visitor centre with a chance to experience a 'virtual' ride in the big race yourself.
June of each year sees the Mersey River Festival, the UK's biggest free maritime celebration, a four day festival based around the Pier head and Albert Dock, attracting over 500,000 visitors every year. July presents the Liverpool Pops - previous headline acts have included Elton John, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon and James Brown. August Bank Holiday brings Creamfields, The UK's no.1 dance festival.

Locally

Many attractions are within a short drive or train ride from the city centre, be it historical villages, stately homes or championship sports facilities. We could even combine your stay with a few days at our hotel in the Lake District - a beautiful location a stone's throw from Lake Windermere - a brilliant contrast to bustling city life. Our manager and his staff would be delighted to assist you to plan the most exciting holiday itinerary to ensure your time spent in the North-west of England a memory to be cherished.

Attractions worth visiting within an hours drive:

Royal Liverpool Golf Club - (British Open venue 2006)
Knowsley Hall and Safari park
Southport; for splendid Victorian shopping arcades, Pleasureland theme park and Royal Birkdale championship golf course (British Open venue- July 2008)
Oulton Park racing circuit - British Superbikes, Touring cars
Haydock Park; Horseracing
Cheshire Oaks; designer outlet retail park
Port Sunlight; delightful historical village
Chester and Chester Zoo

The Future

Liverpool is to be the European Capital of Culture, 2008. In the interim period £2bn is to be spent on the cultural and tourism infrastructure which it is projected will provide 14,000 new jobs and welcome l.7m extra tourists. The ultimate goal is the rebirth of this historic city culminating in a joyous year of celebration, in the knowledge that a lasting legacy has been created which will place the city at the forefront of world wide attention. Over the next five years there is a continual calendar of preparation and events are too numerous to mention - for a more up to date timetable visit www.liverpoolculture.com.

Liverpool skyline at night photograph by kind permission of the photographer.